Camping-lodge.



PATENTBD DEC. 18, 1906.

S. B. GOMSTOGK.

CAMPING LODGE. APPLICATION FILED mum-19m. umwnn APR. 19, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

SINGLE BED 27 S NGLE BED SINGLE BED SINGLE BED Witnesses .A (g r Httomegs 1H: NORRIS PETERS cc, WASHINGTON, n. c

- PATENTED 1330.18, 1906;

8. B. CO-MSTOGK. I GAMPING LODGE. 1 nrmou'mn rmm mun 9.1904 RENEWED-Ami 19,1906.

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PATENTED DEC. 18, 1906 S. B. GOMSTOUK.

CAMPING LODGE.

APPLICATION EILED JUNE9.1904. RENEWED APR. 19, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHE T 3.

Httomegs rm: mamas psrzgs co.. uusumcron. n. c.

SYLVESTER BURT OOMSTOOK, OF TUCSON, ARIZONA TERRITORY.

CAMPING-LODGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18, 1906.

Application filed June 9, 1904. Renewed April 19, 1905. $erial No. 256,413.

To aZl whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SYLvEsTER BURT Con- STOCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tucson, in the county of Pima and Territory of Arizona, have invented a new and useful Camping-Lodge, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tents or lodges for camping purposes.

The general object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which shall be extremely simple and compact, which may be easily knocked down for transportation and again set up in any place where it shall be required for use, whichin proportion to the floor-space occupied thereby shall be adapted to comfortably accommodate a considerable number of persons, in which the framework shall be formed by a number of beds suitably connected and so arranged and disposed with relation to each other that convenient access may be offered to each of the beds, inwhich, when desired, the connections between the inner ends of the bedsteads may be removed or temporarily disconnected from their fastenings, so that alcoves may be provided which will comfortably accommodate the inmates in the day-time, and which shall possess superior advantages in point of simplicity, durability, and general efliciency.

\Vith these and other ends in view, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings have been illustrated simple and referred forms of embodiment of the inventlon, it being, however, understood that no limitation is made to the specific structural details therein exhibited, but that the right is reserved to any changes, alterations, and modifications which may be resorted to within the scope of the invention and without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the efficiency of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating a preferred form of embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing two adjacent beds and the connecting means for the same. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken through a cor nor-post of one of the beds and showing the socket for the same. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 6 is a side elevation illustrating the connecting means between the bed-rails and the posts. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the brace connection with the top of one of the posts. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the same. Flg. 10 is a sectional detail view of a hood which supports the apex of the roof. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 12 is a sectional detail view of the lower end of one of the supportinglegs of said hood. Fig. 13 is a detail view, enlarged, showing the juncture of the roof and sides of the tent where it is supported by the frame composed of a plurality of beds and connecting members. Fig. 14 is a diagrammaticplan view illustrating a modified construction where beds abutting upon each other are used. Fig. 15 is a detail view illustrating a modification. Figs. 16 and 17 are detail views illustrating supportingslats used in connection with double beds. Fig. 18 is a erspective view, partly in section, illustrating means for connecting the roofcloth with the parts of the frame.

Corresponding parts in the'several figures are indicated by similar numerals of reference.

The framework of the improved tent or camping-lodge is composed, as stated, of a plurality of beds suitably connected or joined together, the material employed in the construction of the bed-frames'being preferably composed of metal pipe, such as ordinary gas-pipe, angle-irons of that class which are known as L-irons, and such special castings as will be hereinafter referred to.

In the preferred form each bed has four posts 1, the lower ends of which are fitted in sockets 2, provided at their lower ends with flanges 3, having perforations 4 for the passage of wire stakes when the structure is erected in the open ground. When a flooring is available, the post-sockets may be secured by means of screws passing through the perforations 4.. The posts 1 are to be disposed at the corners of rectangles of suitable shape to form either single or double beds, as desired. In the form illustrated in Fig. 1

four single and two double beds have been shown, and inasmuch as two tiers are to be employed it will be seen that sixteen men may be accommodated in a comparatively limited space. Each bed of each tier is composed of side rails 5 and end rails 6, each being composed of angle-irons of the usual L shape, said angle-irons being arranged with their upper horizontal flanges extending in an outward direction instead of inwardly, as is customary in the construction of iron beds. The side rails 5 are provided at the ends thereof with castings 7, having shanks 8, carrying at their outer ends frusto-conical heads 9, which are adapted for dovetail connection with sockets 10, which are formed in arms 11, extending from sleeves 12, which are suitably secured upon the posts at the desired elevations for the first and second tiers of beds. The sleeves 12 are provided with laterallyextending brackets 13, which are disposed at right angles to the arms 11 and which are provided with perforations 14, the latter being disposed in alinement with perforations in the end rails 6, which are supported upon said brackets and secured to the latter by means of bolts 16 and nuts 17.

The bottoms of the beds are composed, preferably, of sheets 18, of flexible, preferably textile, material, such as heavy duck or canvas. These bottom sheets are provided near the edges thereof with eyelets 19, disposed at suitable distances apart for the reception of a lacing strap or cord' 20, upon which, between the respective eyelets, are mounted hook members 21, adapted to catch over the outer edges of the horizontal flanges of the angle-irons which constitute the side and end rails of the beds. Upon the cornerposts are arranged special horseshoe-shaped clips 22, having hooks and eyes 23 and 23, through which the lacing-cord, connected with the eyelets at the corners of the bedsheet, extend, two loops of the lacing-cord extending through each corner-eyelet, as will be readily understood. By this means the bed-bottoms may be easily and quickly hooked in position or detached, as may be required, and they may, by adjusting the length of the lacingstrap, be drawn to any desired degree of tension.

The method of and means for connecting the bed-frames with the corner-posts are identical as regards the upper and the lower tiers of beds. At the tops of the posts, however, it becomes necessary to use a special connecting means whereby the upper ends of the beds shall be securely spaced apart, the lower ends of the beds being prevented from displacement by the weight imposed thereon. At the upper end of each of the posts is accordingly provided a sleeve 24, having arms 25 extending at right angles to each other. To these arms are secured angle-irons 26 and 27, corresponding with the side and end rails of the beds. The brackets 25 are each provided with an upwardly-extending lug 28 and near its outer end with a perforation 29. The sleeve 24 has an upwardly-extending screw-threaded pin 30, which is concentric with the post. The ends of the angle-irons 26 and 27 are mitered together and provided at their adjacent edges with cavities 31, engaging the pin 30. Said rails are also provided with perforations 32 and 33, alining, respectively, with the lugs 28 and the perforations 29, said perforations 32 engaging the lugs 28, while bolts 34 are passed through the alining perforations 29 and 33 and secured by means of nuts 35. p In this manner the adjacent bedsteads will be securely connected in a manner which enables them to be very easily and quickly taken down or set up, as the case may require. A nut 36, having an annular groove 37*, is preferably adjusted upon the screw-threaded pin 30 for the purpose of assisting in clamping and connecting the parts securely together. The annular grooves 37 of the nuts 36 are designed for the purpose of engagement with eye-splices 37*, formed at the upper ends of guy-ropes 37 which are staked to the ground in the usual manner.

By the connecting means just described a row of beds at each side of the lodge may be firmly connected together; but it still remains to space and connect the upper ends of the beds at opposite sides of the lodge in order to prevent them from collapsing against each other. For this purpose brace-rods or angleirons 37 are employed, said angle-irons being provided with perforations to engage the pins 30, lugs 28, and bolts 34, the bottom flanges of said angle-irons being removed at the connecting points, as will be readily understood. Brace-bars or spanner-bars of the construction just described may be required to extend at right angles to each other from a single post, for instance, where, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the double beds at one side of the lodge are spaced apart from each other. Where the brace-bars 37 are thus required to cross each other, a washer 38 is interposed between the uppermost brace-bar and the subjacent brace-rail in order that a perfect fit may be secured.

It is obvious that the arrangement of beds under my invention may be modified and simplified in a great variety of ways. Thus in Fig. 14 two double beds have been shown at each side of the lodge, said beds being spaced apart by a central passage-Way. In this case a central. T-rail 39 separates the ends of the bed-frames. It may, however, be desired, as illustrated in Fig. 15, to provide special castings, as shown at 40, for the provision of special end rails 41 for the bedsteads. In either case special castings will be provided at the connection of the end rails with the side rails at the abutting ends of the bed, as will be readily understood. Such special castings, however, will be constructed exactly on the lines which have been hereinbefore described, and shown in the drawings. Under either of these modifications an economy in the corner posts or uprights will be effected.

The bedsteads in the several forms illustrated in the drawings have been shown arranged in such a manner as to form a square, which will naturally be the most convenient and economical structure; but I do not thereby consider myself debarred from forming the frame structure ofany other convenient shape or outline. Under the construction here illustrated the roof of the tent or lodge, which is indicated at 42, will be pyramidal, the four sides joining at an apex, where an opening 43 is provided. The roof is supported by a special hood structure which comprises a tubular member 44, extending upwardly through the opening 43 and having a downward flaring extension 45. Suitably secured to said flaring extension at equal distances apart are four downwardlyextending bars 46, provided at their lower ends with loops 47 and at their upper ends with screw-threaded sockets 48. Above the sockets the bars 46 are provided with perforations for the passage of bolts 49, whereby said bars are secured to the flaring member 45. The extreme outer ends of the bars 46 are provided with hook-shaped extensions 50, supporting an annular washer 51, upon which the apex of the tent-roof is supported. The lower ends of the bars 46 are spaced by an annular tapering band 52, which assists insupporting the apex of the roof. Four legs 53, composed of steel bars, are extended through the loops 47 and are provided with screw-threaded ends 54, engaging the sockets 48, into which they may be inserted to any desired extent, thereby enabling the length of each leg to be adjustable independently of the others. The bars 53 are inserted at their lower ends into metallic pipes 55 of any suitable length and which are flattened and shaped at their lower ends to form lugs 56, which are perforated for the passage of bolts 57, having nuts 58, said bolts also passing through suitable perforations in the connecting rails or braces, whereby the upper ends of the beds are supported, said perforations being obviously disposed in such a manner that the rooisupporting hood shall be disposed centrally with relation to the frame structure. It is obvious that the supporting legs or members made up of the bars 46 and the tubes 55 may be of any de sired length, thereby supporting the apex of the roof at any desired height. The tubular member 44 forms a ventilating-opening, through which when desired a stovepipe may be extended.

The side wings of the tent or lodge are composed of four wings 59, which are provided near their upper edges with suitably-attached hooks 60, adapted to catch under the outer edges of the flanges of the angle-irons which constitute the outermost braces of the frame structure, said outer flanges being disposed downwardly, as will be clearly seen in Fig. 13.

structure.

The hooks are preferably connected with the wings by means of straps 61, which extend upwardly and are connected with buckles 62 near the lower edges of the side of the roof, the latter being permitted to consider ably overlap the upper edges of the wings, as shown. It will also be observed that by this construction a connection is formed which may be readily cast off at any time, enabling the tent to be struck in a speedy and orderly manner. At the corners of the frame it is found necessary to employ permanentlyat tached hook members, as shown at 61 in Fig. 18 of the drawings, said hook members being swiveled in the angle-irons 27 adjacent to the corner-posts and provided with eyes 61 to be engaged by buckle-straps 61", con nected with the roof-cloth. I

The lower edges of the wings of the tent are to be staked to the ground in the usual manner, and at the corners the wings are provided with lacing-hooks 63, enabling them to be connected by means of a lace 64. By this mode of connection it will be seen that the wings be disconnected at any one cornor to form a door or entrance to the lodge; also, that one or more of the sides of the lodge may be rolled up and secured in the desired position by means of reef-lines 65, provided for the purpose. The structure may thus be most thoroughly ventilated, the-importance of which for purposes of sanitation cannot be overestimated. In weather which precludes the possibility of ventilating by raising one or more sides of the tent ventilation will, however, be had through the funnel, which constitutes the support of the apex of the roof.

In the double-bed structures of the device are employed bottom-supporting slats, the

.68 are connected together and are provided with a slot 69 for the passage of a bolt 70, one I 'such bolt extending through a central perforation in each of the end rails of the bed The bolt 70 is of less width than the slot 69, and it is provided with a nut 71, having a collar 72, which fits the slot 69, in which it is adapted to slide. It will be seen that the threaded portion of the bolt is thereby protected from contact with the sides of the slot and that a secure fastening means is provided which permits the sliding movement of the slotted end pieces of the supporting-slats when the latter flexes or bends under the load placed thereon.

IIO

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of the device will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

By this invention a durable, convenient, and safe structure is provided which, in proportion to the size thereof, will comfortably accommodate a large number of persons, who are provided with comfortable sleeping quarters. The general construction of the lodge is simple and comparatively inexpensive. It is light, and it may be conveniently packed in small compass for transportation. For these several reasons the device will be found especially valuable, not only to hunters and camping parties, but for military purposes as well, it being designed in every particular to furnish a neat and thoroughly feasible and practical quarters in which men may be comfortably accommodated within the least possible available space.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. In a structure of the class described, a plurality of bed-frames having each four corner-posts, and transverse connecting means for the posts of opposite bed-frames to form a rigid tent structure, substantially as described.

2.- In a structure of the class described, a plurality of opposite bed-frames having each four corner-posts extending the same height, and transverse braces connecting posts of opposite bed-frames to form a rigid tent struc' ture, substantially as described.

3. In a structure of the class described, a plurality of opposite bed-frames having each four corner-posts, means for securing the bottoms of said posts against displacement, and transverse connecting means for the upper ends of the posts of opposite bed-frames to form a rigid tent structure,substantially as described.

4. In a structure of the class described, a plurality of bed-frames having each four corner-posts, transverse connecting means for the posts of opposite bed-frames to form a rigid. tent structure, and an upwardextending roof-support, substantially as described.

5. In a structure of the class described, a plurality of bed-frames including uprights or corner-posts, end and side rails connected with said uprights, sleeves at the upper ends of the latter, and means connected with said sleeves for spacing and connecting the uprights of individual and adjacent beds.

6. In a structure of the class described, a plurality of beds including corner -posts, bases having sockets for the reception of the lower ends of said posts, end and side rails connecting said uprights, and spacing mem bers at the upper ends of said uprights, whereby the latter are connected and spaced apart to form a complete rectangular frame around a central space, converging uprights rising from the inner spacing members, and a roof-supporting hood supported by said converging uprights.

7. In a device of the class described, a plurality of iron bed structures spaced apart and including corner posts or uprights, sleeves at the upper ends of said uprights,

having laterally-extending brackets at rightangles to each other, each of said brackets being provided with an upwardly-extending stud near its inner end and a perforation near its outer end, and a screw-threaded pin extending axially in an upward direction from the sleeve, in combination with spacing members having cavities to engage the screw-threaded pin, perforations to engage the lugs and perforations alining with the perforations in the brackets, bolts extending through said perforations, auxiliary spacing members recessed and perforated for engagement with the axial screw-threaded pin, with the lugs and with the connecting-bolts, and nuts connecting the parts together.

8. In a device of the class described, a plurality of bed structures spaced apart, spacing and connecting means for said bed structures, uprights converging upwardly from the inner spacing members, and a roof supporting hood supported by said uprights.

9. In a device of the class described, a plurality of bed-frames spaced apart, said bed frames including uprights, detachable side and end rails, and flexible bottoms, and spacing members spacing and connecting the upper ends of the uprights, whereby the inner side and end rails may be removed without destroying the integrity of the part of the fralme exterior to said side and inner end rai s.

10. In a device of the class described, a plurality of bedsteads spaced apart and including corner-posts, leeves at the upper ends 0 aid corner-posts having brackets extending at right angles to each other and provided with axially-disposed, upwardly-extending screw threaded pins, spacing bars having connection with said pins, annularlygrooved nuts upon said pins, and guy-ropes having eye-splices engaging said annularlygrooved nuts.

11. In a device of the class described, a frame structure including a plurality of bed steads having posts or uprights and side and end rails detachably connected therewith, spacing and connecting members at the upper ends of the posts or uprights, upwardlyconverging supporting members supported upon said spacing members, and a hood including a tubular member having a flanged flaring lower end supported by the supporting members.

12. In a structure of the class described, a device for supporting the apex of the roof, including a tube having a flaring flange at its lower edge, socketed arms secured to said flange and having hook-shaped upper ends and supporting members adjustably engaging the sockets in said arms.

13. A roof-supporting hood including a tube having a flaring flange at its lower edge, socketed arms connected with said flange and provided with loops at their lower ends, and supporting members extending through said. loops and having adjustable connection with the socketed arms.

14. A roof-supporting hood including a tubular member having a flaring flange at its lower edge, arms connected with said flange and having screw-threaded sockets at their upper ends and loops at their lower ends, and supporting members extending through said loops and having screw-threaded upper ends adjustably engaging the sockets.

15. A roofsupporting hood including a tubular top member and downwardly-diverging arms connecting the said top member, and an annular tapering spacing member connected with said arms.

16. A roof-supporting hood including a tubular member, downwardly-diverging arms connected with said top member and having screw-threaded sockets at their upper ends and loops at their lower ends, an annular flaring spacing member connected with and supporting the lower ends of the arms, and flexible supporting members extending through the loops at the lower ends of the arms and having adjustable connection with the screw-threaded sockets, whereby provision is made for vertical and lateral adjustment of the hood.

1'7 A roof-supporting hood including a tubular member, socketed arms connected therewith, an annular spacing member for said arms, flexible supporting members connected adjustably with the latter, and tubular downward extensions of said supporting members, said tubular members having flattened lower ends perforated for the reception of connecting-bolts.

18. In a device of the class described, a frame including a plurality of bed members spaced apart, spacing and connecting members for the upper ends of the vertical men1- bers of said beds, a roof-supporting hood including a tubular top member and downwardlydiverging supporting means for the same, means for connecting the lower ends of said supporting means with the bed con necting and spacing members, and a pyramidal roof having its apex apertured and supported by the roof-supporting member, the lower edges of said roof being disposed to overlap the outer bed-supporting members.

19. In a device of the class described, a

frame structure including a plurality of beds having'corner-posts or uprights spaced apart and connected at their upper ends, the outer edges of the outer spacing members being provided with downwardly-extending flanges, wings provided at their upper edges with hooks engaging said flanges and with upwardly-extending straps, a roof provided at its lower edges with buckles to be engaged by the straps at the upper edges of the side wings, and a top member supporting the apex of the roof.

20. In a device of the class described, a rectangular frame having upper and outer spacing and connecting members provided with downwardly-extending flanges at their outer edges, side wings having flange-engaging hooks and upwardly-extending straps, a roof provided with strap-engaging buckles, said roof being extended or lapped over the upper edges of the side wings, and a tubular supporting member for the apex of the roof.

21. In a tent structure of the class described, a supporting-frame, side wings having hooks engaging the upper outer members of said frame and provided with lacing-hooks at the lower ends of their respective sides, a roof adapted to overlap the upper edges of the side wings, means for connecting said roof and side wings, a roof-supporting member, and means for lacing together the hooks at adjacent edges of the side wings.

22. A structure of the class described including a rectangular frame comprising a plurality of beds suitably spaced and connected and disposed adjacent to a central space, side wings provided at their upper edges with upwardly-facing hooks engaging the outer spacing members of the frame, a roof having detachable connection with the upper edges of the side wings, means, supported by the inner spacing members of the frame, for sup porting the apex of the roof, and means for detachably connecting the lower ends of the edges of the wings.

23. In a tent structure of the class described, a rectangular supporting-frame provided at its upper edges near the corners thereof with pivotally-mounted hook members having eyes at their free ends, in combination with a roof-cloth provided near the corners thereof with buckle-straps adapted to engage said eyes.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

SYLVESTER BURT OOMSTOCK.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM REID, ED 0. HUGHES.

ICC 

